Countdown to Yes – Series Review

Episode 1

Episode 1 Review

This episode is speedrunning through everything I enjoy in a friends-to-lovers romance. The friendship! The secret crush! The heartbreak! The reunion! The confession! The most memorable scene is when Wataru cries alone in the empty apartment and realizes he's in love with his best friend. Oh my godddd, that's devastating. It's also kinda epic to watch a ten-year friendship at the edge of a romantic breakthrough. Minato waited a decade before finally making his move. The stakes seem higher because of all the history between them.

Countdown to Yes reminds me of another Japanese BL drama: Living With Him. I consider them spiritual cousins. Both stories are about two besties who live together during university and catch feelings for each other. IMO, Living With Him has the better-written story. You always know what the characters are thinking. Plus, it explores the topic of same-sex attraction, which adds an extra layer of complexity. However, Countdown to Yes is the more romantic BL drama. This couple is sweeter together. Their quirky personalities make the exchanges more fun to watch. I love both! They hit my soft spot for friends-to-lover stories!

Episode 2

Episode 2 Review

I love how Minato and Wataru get lost in their own little photography world. Their other friends are hanging out like normal. Then, there are these two, holding up their cameras and giggling over their pictures. Is it dorky? Yeah, a little. But I also find them oddly endearing. It's wonderful to have a friend who shares your hobby, because you then both get to be massive nerds about it together. If it were just Minato taking pictures by himself, the moment would feel lonely. Having Wataru right there next to him makes it more cozy.

Wataru plays a big role in helping Minato come out of his shell. Minato is really shy. He keeps to himself and doesn't mingle with others. In the flashbacks, we see Wataru invite Minato to hang out with his friends and ensure Minato feels welcome in their group. It seems like a small gesture on Wataru's end, but for Minato, being included must feel like such a relief. Later, Minato admits he still struggles to connect with others. Wataru is the only exception. Out of everyone in the world, Wataru is the one person Minato feels comfortable enough to just relax. Their bond is so powerful that it makes Minato's social anxiety disappear.

In Episode 2, Minato and Wataru have a conversation about out-of-focus photographs. Wataru defends their quality. He says that even though a pictures isn't perfect, it can still exude warmth. Wait a second… That actually describes how I feel about Countdown to Yes! No, the story is far from perfect. It loses focus in the later episodes. But just like the blurry photos, it's so warm and cozy that I can't help but love it anyway.

Episode 3

Episode 3 Review

A tiny random moment in this episode cracked me up. The photography studio manager (played by BL Watcher favourite Robin Furuya 🩷) gets pulled into an impromptu photoshoot out of nowhere. It wasn't planned. He had no time to prepare. But as soon as he stepped in front of that camera, he transformed into a full supermodel. He was striking these glam poses and serving those smouldering expressions. Oh my god, he was born ready for that close-up shot! 😆

This episode does a great job of highlighting the special bond between Minato and Wataru. They have such quirky interactions. These two are total oddballs, and I mean that in the most endearing way possible. They have their own inside jokes. They go on random little tangents mid-conversation. They make up dumb little games out of nowhere and somehow turn everything into a weird ritual. All of this just makes their relationship feel so much more alive. You know that one best friend you can be completely silly with? That's these two.

I love Minato and Wataru's date at the dairy farm. Technically, it's not a romantic date. They're just two totally platonic friends going on a totally platonic vacation together. Hmm, sure… Anyway, the location is beautiful. The activities are quirky. I was charmed by every conversation and reaction during the whole sequence. Afterward, they hold a weird little photography exhibition inside their apartment. They put up pictures of themselves on the wall and pretend they're in a gallery. I love this so much! It's quirky, it's unique, and it matches their goofy personalities.

Episode 4

Episode 4 Review

I generally love the visuals in Countdown to Yes, but I do have one complaint. The confession scene in Episode 4 was way too dark. Like, I could barely see anything! And of all the scenes to film in the dark, why this one? This is the moment Minato and Wataru confess their romantic feelings for each other for the first time. Yet, I could barely see their reactions! Nighttime scenes can be romantic, sure, but make sure they're well-lit! I hate having to squint at the screen.

"I meant I like you romantically." OMG, Minato said it!!! Unfortunately, Wataru starts spiralling about their friendship or whatever. He ends up rejecting this love confession. He just won't date his best friend. But the funny thing is, Minato and Wataru already act like a couple. Their behaviour constantly reminds me of what people do when they're in comfortable relationships. Even Wataru's parents adore Minato and almost treat him like an unofficial son-in-law. It seems like everyone wants this romance to happen, which makes it more frustrating because Wataru is the only one who says no.

Episode 5

Episode 5 Review

This episode has a small blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment that I loved. When Minato leaves the coffee store, the actor accidentally bump his head on the door frame. He looks up in confusion, but the camera is right there to capture his reaction. That was definitely not meant to happen! You can see Wataru's actor trying to hold back his laughter. I like how they left this little accidental outtake in instead of reshooting it again. It's charming, haha!

I like how Minato and Wataru will literally point their cameras at anything. We see these two wander around town, taking photos of the most random places. A colourful door? Snap, snap, snap! Oranges at a store? Snap, snap, snap! They take pictures of each other. They take pictures of scenery. They even take pictures of the ingredients inside Wataru's rice ball. That's so random!? Just to be clear, I'm not making fun of them. There's no proper way to shoot pictures or whatever. I just see two guys having fun with their favourite hobby, and that makes me smile.

This episode ends symbolically. Wataru stops at a rail crossing as he ponders his future with Minato. He has struggled to define their relationship, caught between friendship and romance. Wataru constantly thinks about the past and how much he wants to hold onto their friendship. At the end of the episode, he's forced to decide. Does he stay still and play it safe because of his caution? Or does he cross that line with Minato? At the last second, Wataru runs forward to join Minato on the other side. Wataru is finally brave enough to take the next step in their relationship!

Episode 6

Episode 6 Review

"You chose yogurt over photography." Wataru says it like a joke, but there's a bit of an edge to his comment. Wataru is hurt that Minato moved away after graduation, choosing work (aka. "yogurt") over him (aka. "photography"). This decision created some unresolved trust issues between them. It's a big part of why Wataru hesitates to enter a relationship with Minato. This guy has abandoned me before. This guy could leave me again. This guy will emotionally ruin me once more.

OMG. Was anyone else shocked by that flashback of Minato and Wataru spooning in their empty apartment!? They spent their final night together, just wrapped around each other. Whaaaaat!? That sleeping position looked so physically intimate! Their excuse is that it was cold, so they cuddled for warmth. But c'mon… You guys aren't some Arctic explorers in freezing temperatures. Is it necessary to put your arm around your friend's waist to stay warm? I can't believe they spooned for an entire night and still tried to pretend they're just friends. Ding dong! Your relationship is no longer platonic!

Minato is pulling all the stops to prove his love for Wataru. He has dropped the most incredibly mushy one-liners mid-conversation. "Being apart made me realize that being with you is when I'm truly happy…" 🥹 "Ever since I met you, I've been so happy…" 🥹 "When I'm with you, I can actually feel my heart beating…" 🥹 Imagine someone looking at you in the eyes and saying all of that. OMG, I would fold so fast! And judging by the kiss, so did Wataru. Ohohohoho~ You can claim "just friends" all you want, but Minato and Wataru's lips are telling a very different story!

Episode 7

Episode 7 Review

Hehehe, I crack up at Minato immediately rolling over and going to sleep after the kiss. The series never confirms it, but I suspect Minato is feeling shy about what happened. That's why he wants to sleep instead of doing anything else with Wataru. In other BL dramas, a first kiss might lead to more bedroom action. But not these two dorks! Minato and Wataru share an awkward first kiss and then spend the rest of the night spiralling about it. That's why we love them~ 😆

Ugh… I don't like where the story is going. Wataru gets cold feet and wants them to go back to being friends. Part of it is Minato's fault for pushing too hard and trying to make them move in together. Another part of it comes from Wataru's insecurities. He still thinks this romance is a mistake and it will only end in heartbreak. Either way, the conflict is frustrating to watch. We just had a kiss! The fans want to see the romance move forward. But why does it feel like the couple is going backwards right now? "I just want us to be friends…" STFU Wataru! That friendship door is closed forever!

Episode 8

Episode 8 Review

There's a classic BL cliche where the couple squeezes into a photobooth, grabs silly props, and takes a bunch of cutesy pictures together. Countdown to Yes doesn't have a photobooth moment. Instead, these two have access to an entire professional photography studio and use it to take pictures of themselves. Sorry, but that's kinda iconic! Unfortunately, the photoshoot is ruined when Minato gives up on the romance and goes back to being "just friends". Noooo, not you too! It's supposed to be a friends-to-lovers arc, not lovers-back-to-friends!!!

I used to wonder how Minato and Wataru drifted apart a few years ago. Just because Minato moved away, they could still keep in touch. But now, I get it. Both guys choose to pull away and stop communicating. Wataru's issue is that he overthinks. He lets his doubts get the better of him and talks himself out of everything. Minato's issue is that he's too quiet and reserved. He bottles everything up and keeps all his feelings locked inside. So, what happens when a neurotic overthinker and a socially awkward introvert have something difficult to work through? Apparently, they avoid the problem. The silence just takes over. 😢

Episode 9

Episode 9 Review

I love Minato's scenes with his grandparents because they show where he gets his values from. He grew up watching two people who are each other's best friends. They're so happy together, and Minato wants that for himself someday. His grandfather's recent health scare only makes that feeling more urgent. It's a reminder that the people you love aren't around forever, so finding a lifelong companion is meaningful. I wish the series gave us less moping around about being "just friends" and more of these cozy family scenes instead.

My favourite scene in this episode is Wataru's chat with the manager's son. Gakudo is nursing a broken heart over his schoolboy crush, so Wataru offers some advice: "The time you cherished in the past never disappears. It'll always be a part of who you are." Gakudo replies, "Wataru… You sounded like such an adult. It surprised me." I burst out laughing because I was thinking the same thing! I was like, "that advice is so mature!?" and then this kid just said my thoughts out loud. This convo is what Wataru needed to accept his feelings for Minato. Leave it to a preschooler to knock some sense into him and save our BL romance!

Episode 10

Episode 10 Review

Minato and Wataru's second kiss on the beach was so beautifully filmed. The kiss itself looks soft and tender. In the background, there are clear skies, warm sunlight, and waves gently washing up on the shore. Ahhh, the atmosphere is just perfect! Then afterward, Minato asks that same question again: "Will you move in with me?" And this time, Wataru says yes. HE SAID YES!!! Okay, technically they're just becoming roommates. But why am I celebrating this like it's a wedding announcement? I'm just really happy for them! 🥹

I loved the scene with Minato and Wataru's realtor friend Shioiri. It's a nice bookend to a similar moment from Episode 1. Back then, Wataru congratulated Shioiri on his marriage. Now, the roles are reversed. Shioiri gets to be happy for his friends. I'm glad Shioiri approached the topic politely. He wasn't nosy like, "hehe, so you two are a couple now!?" Instead, he treated their relationship with respect and didn't pry. I also enjoyed the family reactions because there was no drama. Minato's grandfather seemed understanding. Wataru's parents were overjoyed. Everyone's positive reactions made the finale feel very cozy.

The final scene is a relationship montage, from the couple's first encounter to the moment Wataru said yes on the beach. In the corner of the screen, there's a countdown showing how many days it took to get there, ticking down from "3698 days left until yes." I got chills when I saw that! Besides the lovely recap of their best moments, watching that number shrink as each clip plays adds a layer of epicness to their romance. I felt a rush of adrenaline seeing the relationship journey laid out like that. It puts into perspective how long this love story has been building.

Episode 11

Ending Review

I love seeing Minato get relationship advice from Wataru's mom! This storyline is smart because it shows several things at once:

• Wataru's parents are supportive of their son and his partner.
• Minato bonds with Wataru's family.
• Minato learns to open up and work on his relationship.

The mom's advice is adorable! The "Truth Recovery Centre" game is a funny way to encourage the couple to communicate more. This is where Countdown to Yes shines. The series can be heartwarming and goofy on the surface, but underneath, it's also very emotionally intelligent.

When Minato finally talks to Wataru, the response is not what he expected at all. Minato thought Wataru's big concern was the colour of the couch. But nope! Wataru is actually thinking about something way more important than furniture. Let's wake up together! Let's have a morning hug! Let me make breakfast for you! It's such a sweet little moment. It shows that these two should communicate rather than assume they know what their partner is thinking. I love how this important relationship lesson is wrapped up in the coziest little package.

The final scene of the series is simple. Wataru walks home with a grocery bag. Minato reaches over and holds his hand. Now, they're both carrying the bag, which is a nice symbol of how they'll share any burden together. They start chatting about what to make for dinner. They throw in a cute reference to their childhood. And then, Minato plants a tiny peck on Wataru's forehead. None of these gestures are big or dramatic. They're just two people being happy together in the most ordinary way. That's the most reassuring ending this series could've given us.